new running shoes, suggestions...

jmvh59

A little over a year ago, I purchased some Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultras. I am proud to say, I have worn them the heck out! They were about $70 online. I had never heard of the brand until I was researching trail running shoes and read several reviews of military members touting them. They are pretty much shot and I want to replace them. I mostly run on pavement. I did like these sneakers, but am wondering if anybody out there has any opinion or recommendations on this matter. Thanks for your input...

NiciS72

I have a good pair of Saucony. However, I did go to a running store and got fitted for them. If you're a regular runner I highly recommend this. They'll have you take off your shoes and walk back and forth to determine your gate i.e. flat footed, roll your foot, etc. Then they'll bring out 3 or 4 recommended shoes and have you put them on and actually run in them. This was the best part for me. One pair gave me immediate pain in my shins, another in the ball of my foot. The third pair my feet said AHHHH, so that's the pair I bought. Had I not done this I would have bought shoes that would have been made for someone with pronation that I don't need!

Good luck!

hnsaunde

I agree, I got a gait assessment done at The Running Room, and I haven't found a better fitting pair of shoes yet.

HoopFire5602

I have a good pair of Saucony. However, I did go to a running store and got fitted for them. If you're a regular runner I highly recommend this. They'll have you take off your shoes and walk back and forth to determine your gate i.e. flat footed, roll your foot, etc. Then they'll bring out 3 or 4 recommended shoes and have you put them on and actually run in them. This was the best part for me. One pair gave me immediate pain in my shins, another in the ball of my foot. The third pair my feet said AHHHH, so that's the pair I bought. Had I not done this I would have bought shoes that would have been made for someone with pronation that I don't need!

Good luck!

This this this. I wish more people would go get fitted. I get upset when I see people buy running shoes at the store because they look cool. If you don't have a store that does that though, you can search at runners world or runners sites for ways to figure out what type of feet/stride/pronation you have. And if you have to buy them at a sports store, research multiple brands first. Then don't be ashamed to put them on and run in the store. I do it all the time.

sweetheart03622

Agreed with getting your stride checked as well. I have a pair of Brooks Ghosts 4 and I absolutely love them. Get your stride tested, they'll give you 4 or 5 pair to try out and go from there. A good running store will usually let you test them for a week or two (or up to a few months at some stores).

sarahkatara

I'd like to go get a fitting too, but i've heard it's SUPER expensive. Is this always the case? I'm trying to do C25K, and i love it, but had to sstop because of the pain in my shins, calves, knees and feet- and i have NO injuries whatsoever.

NiciS72

I didn't pay a cent for the fitting. A good store just does it. The shoes we're $100, so only $10 more than I would have paid for a pair at DSW.

BerryH

Only get another pair online if you're replacing your current shoes with the latest version of the same make and model, otherwise get fitted at a proper running shop. And yes, it's free!

Beyond basic guideline like avoiding casual wear brands (Nike and Adidas) and that some brands come up narrow (Asics) and other accommodate the wider foot (Saucony, Mizuno) you should have a completely open mind to what you try.

For etiquette, you should buy the pair they recommend, but then go online so you have a second pair and either alternate them or wait until that pair's shot!

While you're at it, but a pair of specialist running socks, they make the world of difference!

bdmundt

Totally agree with everyone here...go get fitted. Shoes are so specific to each and every person. Go to a good running shop and have them fit you. DO NOT go to the big sports stores...go to a specialty running shop. The kids that work at sports authority don't know anything about how a proper running shoe should fit. Plus they often don't carry the good brands of running shoes (Brooks, Sacony etc) they only carry the "popular" brands like Nike and Rebok and the like.

fitplease

My friend likes New Balance. My sister likes Saucony as well. I'm still deciding. LOL.

chyloet

Bump

shellyc7182

I agree with most of the posters. I used to be one of THOSE people, buying shoes that were cute and were reasonably priced. I just got fitted for a new pair last night and I have been converted! I unexpectedly left with a pair of Nikes, but the sales guy looked at the wear on my shoes, had me walk barefooted to see my stride, and had me walk and run on a treadmill. I must have tried on a half a dozen shoes of all different brands until he was happy with my stride and my feet were happy in the shoes! I didn't realize this, but apparently I roll to the outsides of my feet when I walk, and it's even worse when I run. The shoes I got are corrective, so my leg pain should be minimized. He said once I start to lose the weight, my stride will eventually correct itself when it's not having to support so much weight. Also, he taught me how to lace and tie my shoes in a way that better support my very high arches and helps the shoes fit my feet without them sliding to the front or the back of the shoe. My shoes fit like gloves and I'm taking my first run in them today! I'm so excited! So yes, go get fitted! Not only will you leave with a great pair of quality shoes, you'll learn a lot too!

gashinshotan

You don't necessarily have to be fitted... I went through a couple pairs of of cheap shoes ($20-35) ranging from big 5 Nike's to outlet store (Ross, Marshall's) older model high end Asics/new balances and gradually I just found the cheap shoes that provided me with the best support (stability). I also researched a bit about pronation and found that I had mild pronation and that the shoes I had run best in were the ones designed for mild overpronation.... I researched online and found out which type of decent shoes were of the same design of the cheap shoes that felt good and was able to score my first set of decent shoes (Asics 1150s) when I saw them for cheap at Big 5 ($40). I had 0 pain issues with these and my running just felt good - so when the 25% off deal at runningwarehouse came I wanted to get a pair of 1160s.... but they didn't have my size but I researched and found the New Balance 860s were a similar, higher end shoe and ordered them.... without trying them on at a store... based on one of my previous experiences with NB I knew they were a bit narrow but were generally the same sizing as asics so I ordered them in 2E - when I got them they fit perfectly and provided even better support and comfort than the 1150s WITHOUT any breakin.... so it is possible to come to the best shoe for you based on your previous purchases and self-analyzing your gait and by reading reviews online.

Beth720

As others here have said, get the to a RUNNING store (and I don't mean Foot Locker RUN). In a specialty running store, those who work with the shoe fitting should have had training and experience on what to look for to help determine your foot-type, stride-type, etc. and help to get you into the right shoe FOR YOU.

I love Brooks Ravennas, Brooks Defyances, and to a degree Mizuno Wave Riders and they all work for me. But they may not work for you.

I'd also add to go with how the shoe feels and not insist on a certain color. A friend of mine has had to do major PT and rehab because she insisted she had to have pink shoes when the shoes that were truly right for her didn't come in pink.

jmvh59

Thanks for all the information, everybody. It looks like the consensus is to get fitted at a running shoe store. What can I expect to pay for shoes, and how many miles should I expect them to last running on pavement?

gashinshotan

At a store anywhere from 80-250.... if u want to be cheap get fitted and then buy the shoe online... I got some for super cheap - check slick deals - there's a popular running warehouse store that has big discounts - right now you can get 35% off with a combo of a discount gift card + a coupon code. I got 25% off two pairs of NB 860s and paid $55 each shipped (normally 100 at stores, 70-90 on amazon).

Thanks for all the information, everybody. It looks like the consensus is to get fitted at a running shoe store. What can I expect to pay for shoes, and how many miles should I expect them to last running on pavement?

Shell2bthinme

I need to find one in my area to get fitted

bdmundt

Shoes at the any store really range in price between manufacturer and even the type of shoes from each manufacturer. I again urge you NOT to by online, especially if you are looking for new shoes or have never worn a certain brand before.

The specialty run stores are professionals who are runners themselves and know how to fit you in a pair of good quality shoes. At a store you can also try on all the different pairs that MIGHT be good for you, you can't do that online unless you buy 3-4-6 pairs and plan on dealing with the hassle of returning them.

My wife wear Asics and her's cost her about $75-80, I wear Pearl Izumi Guides and mine cost about $120 (I have very flat feet and wear motion control shoes which tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum)

Good luck in your search, there is nothing like a new pair of running shoes!

Beth720

At a store anywhere from 80-250.... if u want to be cheap get fitted and then buy the shoe online... I got some for super cheap - check slick deals - there's a popular running warehouse store that has big discounts - right now you can get 35% off with a combo of a discount gift card + a coupon code. I got 25% off two pairs of NB 860s and paid $55 each shipped (normally 100 at stores, 70-90 on amazon).

Thanks for all the information, everybody. It looks like the consensus is to get fitted at a running shoe store. What can I expect to pay for shoes, and how many miles should I expect them to last running on pavement?

I would encourage you to at least buy one pair from the LRS if you're going to take up their time and resources (yes, the consultant's time is a resource) for a fitting. It's just tacky otherwise. If you want to get shoes online, I'm pretty sure you can send in a video of you running on a treadmill to runningwarehouse.com and they will analyze it and then you can order from them.

If everyone simply went in to be fitted and then ordered shoes from online, pretty soon there won't BE any local running stores because they won't be able to afford to stay in business.

Well, that or they'll start charging for the fitting service (which honestly I think they should anyway - have a "deposit" that you put down for the service and it is then deducted from the cost of the shoes you buy).

Beth720

Shoes at the any store really range in price between manufacturer and even the type of shoes from each manufacturer. I again urge you NOT to by online, especially if you are looking for new shoes or have never worn a certain brand before.

The specialty run stores are professionals who are runners themselves and know how to fit you in a pair of good quality shoes. At a store you can also try on all the different pairs that MIGHT be good for you, you can't do that online unless you buy 3-4-6 pairs and plan on dealing with the hassle of returning them.

My wife wear Asics and her's cost her about $75-80, I wear Pearl Izumi Guides and mine cost about $120 (I have very flat feet and wear motion control shoes which tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum)

Good luck in your search, there is nothing like a new pair of running shoes!

THIS!!!!!

Also, many of the local running stores around here have some kind of discount thing either with running clubs in the area or with "after you've spent x amount you get 10% off" or something. My favorite LRS does the "Once you spend $100, you get 10% off everything you buy." and it's "lifetime", not just for the year.